Chelsea’s Spanish international striker said at the weekend, after the 3-1 win at Bournemouth that maintained their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points, that he was happy at the club but not so happy with life in London.

Express Sport can reveal that the changeable English weather is the main reason for Costa still not being content with life in England, and almost certain to depart these shores in search of the rays this summer. The striker, who was pictured apparently on his patio on Sunday in the spring sunshine giving a thumbs up, is unhappy that there is simply not enough of it about here.

A source close to the striker said: “Diego has never really liked it in London. He is a guy from the streets, from Brazil initially, so he likes to be able to sit outside during the day like they do there, and in Spain. You can’t do that so often in England with the weather here.”

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Diego Costa is not happy with the weather in England

That is despite the fact that on September 13 last year the UK had its hottest September day for almost 70 years.

Costa endured another goalless game on Saturday at the Vitality Stadium, and has scored only three times since January, when he was the subject of a £90 million bid from Chinese Super League club Tianjin Quanjian.

Before that the 28 year old, who had been seemingly revitalised under new manager Antonio Conte, had struck 14 goals prior the turn of the year, but his form has since declined.

Chelsea are resigned to finally losing their Spanish hit man in the summer. Even before the Tianjin bid last summer, Costa had to be talked around from returning to his former club Atletico Madrid by Conte.